Maine village again delays project to build world’s tallest flagpole

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine (AP) — Plans to build the world’s tallest flagpole are once again delayed.

The small town of Columbia Falls, Maine, is extending its moratorium on major building projects for six months following a proposal to put up a mast taller than the Empire State Building, complete with an observation deck and a taller flag. bigger than a football field. The planned attraction would also include an auditorium, living history museums and a monument.

City officials said they lacked rules and regulations for such a massive project.

The town of 485 began to struggle with zoning regulations after Morrill Worcester proposed a structure extending skyward about 1,461 feet (445 meters). The Worcester family operates a wreath-making business and founded the Wreaths Across America organization, which provides Christmas wreaths for military cemeteries.

Residents of Columbia Falls voted to pass a six-month moratorium in March to give local officials time to draft bylaws. The select committee made up of three members voted unanimously Monday evening in favor of maintaining the moratorium. City officials are making progress on proposed ordinances during weekly town hall meetings, select committee member Jeff Greene said.

“The first 180 days were not enough to polish and complete this project,” he said.

The Worcester family had no immediate comment on the further six-month delay.

The flagpole proposal aims to unite people in their love of the flag, tell the story of the United States through the eyes of veterans, and create jobs. For the Worcesters, the project was an extension of their patriotic business, which includes producing more than a million wreaths of balm for veterans’ graves each holiday season.

But instead, it created a divide within the community. Some residents said the scale of the project was so great it would forever change a rural area known for its rocky coastline, forests and blueberry barrens.